Strategy X
Platform: Atari 2600
Region: USA
Media: Cartridge
Controller: Joystick
Gametype: Licensed
Release Year: 1982
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
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Strategy X is one seriously ugly game, but its extreme challenge keeps things interesting.  You control a tank moving up a vertically scrolling screen, blasting enemy cannons while maintaining your fuel supply.  The screen is littered with blocky green "bogs" that slow you down and consume extra fuel.  Besides your moving tank treads, there's not much to see.  You can speed up, slow down, or move side-to-side, but the lack of diagonal movement makes the animation look choppy.  The enemy cannons look rough, but at least they explode nicely.  Enemy shots travel fast and are difficult to elude.  Fuel towers can replenish your fuel supply, but these are also vulnerable to shots fired from the cannons.  If you make it to the "triumphal arch" at the end of the stage, you'll advance to stage two.  This time, you face a squadron of bombers that fire wiggly lines, and it looks even worse than the first stage.

All in all, Strategy X is low in quality, but there's something addictive about its gameplay that kept me coming back for more. 

Reviewer: The Video Game Critic
http://www.videogamecritic.net/2600ss.htm#Strategy_X
